Since 1926, the Alberta University of the Arts has shaped the creative and cultural landscape of Alberta, Canada and beyond.
Summary Profile
Undergraduate Programs
- BFA Media Arts
- BFA Sculpture
- BFA Fibre
- BFA Painting
- BFA Ceramics
- BFA Drawing
- BFA Print Media
- BFA Glass
- BFA Jewellery and Metals
- BDes Visual Communication
- BDes Photography
Graduate Programs
Visiting Artists/Critics: Past visiting artists have included Japanese glass artist Jin Hongo, Spanish artist Andrés Galeano, and filmmaker Louise Bourque. Learn more about the visiting artist program here.
Why choose AUArts: Since 1926, AUArts has inspired thousands of students to pursue their dreams. As Alberta's only dedicated art, craft and design institution, they're proud to play an important role in nurturing creativity and driving innovation in our province and around the world. With travel opportunities for students, affordable tuition and amazing arts facilities and studio space, AuArts provides an exceptional educational experience.
Notable Alumni: Alumni include Joni Mitchell, Faye Heavyshield, Katie Ohe, Chris Cran and Alex Janvier.
Since 1926, the Alberta University of the Arts has shaped the creative and cultural landscape of Alberta, Canada, and beyond. As a pre-eminent voice of art, craft and design education in North America, AUArts’ most valuable resources are creativity, passion and the students who are the lifeblood that keeps that legacy alive.
AUArts alumni become designers, art therapists, photographers, creative directors, multimedia designers, fashion designers, architects, animators, art historians, exhibiting artists, industrial designers, and more – the opportunities are endless.
AUArts, grants BFAs and BDes in eleven areas of concentration, a cross-disciplinary, studio-based MFA in Craft Media as well as a variety of continuing education + professional development programs in art and design. Students have access to world-class facilities, wood and metal shops and large studio spaces to accommodate their creative research. Twelve student-run galleries, as well as the renowned Illingworth Kerr Gallery, give students real-world exhibition experience and an insider’s view of the art world.
DIVERSE UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS
Being Creative often means taking a different path. At AUArts We have 11 possible areas of concentration, two minors, and a unique first year program designed to fuel your creativity and expose you to new possibilities.
Areas of concentration include:
- Drawing (BFA)
- Painting (BFA)
- Fibre (BFA/MFA)
- Jewellery + Metals (BFA/MFA)
- Sculpture (BFA)
- Ceramics (BFA/MFA)
- Glass (BFA/MFA)
- Print Media (BFA/MINOR)
- Media Arts (BFA)
- Visual Communications (BDES/MINOR)
- Photography (BDES)
Our Bachelor of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Design programs are unparalleled and our diverse programs and cross-disciplinary studies give you a chance to surprise yourself, learn new skills, and consider directions you may not have discovered otherwise.
MFA PROGRAM: BE THE VOICE OF CONTEMPORARY CRAFT
AUArts' MFA in Craft Media offers students an opportunity to experiment and explore materials, processes, technologies, critical discourse and theory through creative inquiry that will expand and challenge perceptions of contemporary craft. Guided and mentored by internationally acclaimed artists, students experience a rigorous 20-month practice-led program in a supportive, interdisciplinary environment.
Graduate students in the MFA in Craft Media can chose to focus on a specific craft discipline in Ceramics, Fibre, Glass or Jewellery + Metals or develop an interdisciplinary program of study that engages across craft-based media and/or with other practices such as Drawing, Print Media, Sculpture, Painting and Media Arts.
Seminars on craft history and theory, critical and creative inquiry and professional practice, underpin an overall commitment to foster a personal vision that will position graduates as future practitioners and educators of craft-based inquiry.
CONTINUING EDUCATION + PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
AUArts offers a wide array of Continuing Education + Professional Development courses and workshops from art and craft disciplines, to media arts, and design. Our Continuing Education courses are taught by practicing artists in a relaxed, inspiring learning environment. Explore your creativity with us.
THE BIG PICTURE
Life on campus is also about being a part of something bigger. It’s about joining a global conversation about art, design, and its impact on the world. With visiting artists, travel programs for students, and a rich and active research culture that fosters new ideas and collaboration, AUArts is a hub of arts and culture events all year round. What will you contribute?
THE CREATIVE SPACE
Spanning almost 300,000 square feet, AUArts' facilities include professionally equipped studios, plus lots of room just for you, including your own studio space during your third and fourth year. Our internationally recognized, professionally run Illingworth Kerr Gallery is on campus too, and sure to keep you inspired with amazing exhibitions from Canada around the world. You’ll also have the unique opportunity to exhibit your work though AUArts' student-run galleries, giving you real-world exhibition experience and an insider’s view of the professional world.
THE PEOPLE
Studying at AUArts means joining a community of people who are passionate about creativity, people who just “get it”, and who will encourage and challenge you to find your unique way of expressing yourself. Whether they are faculty, students, studio technicians, or administrators, you’ll find accepting, enthusiastic, and talented people everywhere you look. It’s what we’re all about.
AMENITIES FOR YOUR LIFESTYLE
Along with the amazing galleries and world-class studio space, you’ll find a library dedicated to art and design, a cafeteria, and easy access to and from other parts of the city via public transit. We have access to all the great things the neighboring Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) campus has to offer with full access to their wellness centre, gym, swimming pools, ice rink, food courts and on-campus restaurants.
FINANCE, TUITION, SCHOLARSHIPS + LOANS
Our tuition and fees are among the least expensive of North America’s art and design colleges and each year we connect students with hundreds of thousands of dollars in bursaries, awards, scholarships, and prizes to help fund their studies. We offer a generous Scholarships and Awards program that is available to students in their first, second, third and fourth years including entrance awards, bursaries for financial need, academic awards and juried awards. Last year we gave out over $450,000 in scholarships and awards.
AUArts assesses tuition and fees on a per-credit basis. The following tuition and student fees reflect a student taking an average course load of 30 credits (or 10 courses) per year.
DOMESTIC STUDENT
(CANADIAN CITIZEN + PERMANENT RESIDENTS)
$5,482.55
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT
$15,502.55
ESTIMATED MATERIAL + BOOK COSTS
$3,340
Whether you’re pursuing a Bachelors degree or a Masters degree, you’ll find all the application information here.
